Bowers Races to Series-Leading Fifth Win of the 2012 Season on Friday Night in Grand Rapids

The fifth round of the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series season, and the first race of the new year, commenced tonight inside Van Andel Arena. The opening night of the sport’s return to Grand Rapids saw exceptional action, with Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., capturing his fifth win of the season. In the Arenacross Lites Class, Reed & Reese Racing KTM’s Dave Ginolfi, of Lake Hopatlong, N.J., took the victory to gain ground in the Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Championship.

Current series points leader, FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Blacklick, Ohio, grabbed the early lead out of the gate of the 25-lap Arenacross Class main event, but Bowers wasn’t far behind. From that point, the duel between the series’ leading two riders was on. For most of the main event, Gibson fended off Bowers’ attempts to take over the lead. However, on Lap 17, Gibson made a costly mistake, tipping over just after the finish and allowing a free pass for Bowers to take the win.

For the final eight laps, Bowers found himself with a comfortable lead and got the weekend off to a strong start for the Muskegon-based Babbitt’s squad. Gibson remounted in third, behind Bella’s Cupcakes/Club MX Kawasaki’s Zach Ames, of Prospect, Ohio, butÃ‚Â found a way back into the runner-up spot by the time the checkered flag flew, saving valuable points. Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki’s Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, stole the final spot on the podium with a dramatic final-corner pass on Ames.

In the Arenacross Lites Class, Motostar Kawasaki’s Michael McDade, of Indiana, Pa., was the first out of the gate, capturing the holeshot and looking to pull away from the field. Ginolfi followed in second, and it didn’t take long for him to make his way past his younger rival. Once out front, Ginolfi never looked back, taking an easy win and a 25-point swing on points leader Michael Willard, of Newark, Ohio.

Championship Powersports KTM’s Travis Sewell, of Westville, Ind., finished second, while McDade held on to finish third, and took over the championship points lead with the strong result.

In the Dash for Cash, Gibson grabbed the win in the exciting four-lap shootout. All proceeds went to the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

The Grand Rapids Arenacross continues tomorrow night, with action set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET.